LocationsAuthor: Iroda Muminova
Ongarbay Mambetmuratov’s tin business: work, dreams and opportunities
January 29, 2025
Photo: UNDP Uzbekistan
Another new day began in the Nukus district of Karakalpakstan. Ongarbay, whose hands were numb with hard work, and whose dreams shone brightly in his eyes, went to the workshop in his backyard. It was not just a workshop - it was a new chapter in his life that he had been planning for years, putting every stone with a dream.
Ongarbay, the father of three, started his journey as an entrepreneur by working at a building materials factory in Kazakhstan. He gained valuable experience and then decided to return to his home country to be closer to his family and start his own business.
After returning, Ongarbay researched the needs of his village and found that there were no local production of building materials. He saw great opportunities in this area and decided to focus on developing a tin production business. The residents of the district were bringing construction materials from the city and no one in the area was engaged in tin production.
For our hero, who faced difficulties as a child and was forced to work away from his family, starting his own business on the side of his yard with the support of his family and children has been a real turning point in his life. For Ongarbay, who has been working as a master since the age of 18, starting this entrepreneurial career has changed his life for the better.
"In the beginning, business was slow-moving due to limited resources and equipment",says our hero, recalling the first moments of entrepreneurial activity.
However, he never lost confidence and tried to find opportunities for growth. One such opportunity came in the form of a business project competition funded by the Japanese government. This competition offered financial support for promising small businesses, and Ongarbay saw it as a chance to take his business to the next level. After winning the competition, he received the necessary funds to expand his operations. With this financial support, he was able to purchase more advanced equipment, improve the quality of his materials, and increase production capacity.
Photo: UNDP Uzbekistan
Ongarbay's business has grown rapidly, and demand for high-quality, environment-friendly tin products has increased. Currently, his small company produces various construction and household items from rain gutters, connectors and other tin products. This success has positively impacted not only his life but also, but also had a positive impact on his team. Currently, he also provides jobs for three of his neighbors.
Additionally, Ongarbai sees it as his duty to give back by sharing his knowledge and experience. He actively supports his neighbors and fellow entrepreneurs, guiding them in launching their own businesses and spotting new opportunities. Through his mentorship, he has become a pillar of the Nukus district’s entrepreneurial community — proving that with perseverance and ingenuity, challenges can be transformed into stepping stones for success.
Photo: UNDP Uzbekistan
In the future, he envisions a greener, more innovative path — integrating recycled materials into production and expanding his small enterprise into a larger, more sustainable factory. Ongarbay’s journey is proof that with the right resources, determination, and a bold vision, even a small local business can grow into a force for positive change, shaping a better future for both the community and the environment.
About the project: The UNDP Project “The Project for Supporting Self-reliance through Climate-resilient Agriculture in the Aral Sea Region” is financed by the government of Japan and being implemented 2023-2025 and contribute to addressing multiple human insecurities of people, living in the most vulnerable districts of Karakalpakstan, which are fully aligned with the policies and strategies of the Government of Uzbekistan on addressing the Aral Sea crises.
